Making Kansas City’s Good Commute Even Better

Making Kansas City’s Good Commute Even Better

While it may not seem like it if you’re driving through construction on I-435, Kansas City is actually one of the best cities to commute in. According to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau last year, KC has the second-shortest average commute time, at about 23 minutes. That number can vary based on whether you’re driving alone, carpooling, or taking public transportation, but even then most commutes take less than an hour. That’s shorter even than hip towns like Portland, OR, and significantly shorter than the bigger cities like Chicago or NYC.

Even though our commutes are pretty good, they could always be better. Consider these tips for surviving the trip to work, relatively stress-free.

Check for Public Transportation Options

Kansas City’s public transportation, by way of the bus system, has had issues in the past,but it keeps improving. If you’re downtown, the streetcar travels a constant loop through the center of the city, and it’s free to ride. The bus system continues to study better routes and schedules. New routes have been added to the southern part of the city, and a new transit center allows for more flexible rides. Visit http://www.kcata.org/ for details of routes, schedules, and fees.

RideshareKC is also an increasingly-popular option. Carpools tend to be slightly shorter commutes, overall, than driving alone and helps combat congestion on the roads. Rideshare helps organize carpools based on where you live, where you’re going, and when you need to commute. It also provides resources about planning other kinds of travel, and links to several resources for bicycling to work as well. It also serves as a back-up plan if your other public transportation options don’t pan out. Visit https://www.ridesharekc.org/ for more information.

Know the Best Routes

As with any town, some commutes are always better than others. It’s always worth knowing which routes have the best and worst traffic during the day. Most people who live in the Northland know to plan extra time to cross the bridges into downtown, and everyone is aware that I-35 and some stretches of I-435 are going to be jammed up at certain times of the day.

Google Maps can display traffic problems, and can show you which areas are the slowest right now. It can also display if there is construction or an accident on your route. The KC Scout app also provides live traffic cams, syncs with the mobile billboards, and can provide live traffic data which includes estimated traffic times.

Be Safe on the Roads

While you’re on the road, avoid too many distractions. Even talking on the phone hands-free can be as bad as driving while intoxicated, depending on how much you have to pay attention to the conversation. Make sure your mirrors are well-positioned so you can see everything, stay off the phone except for short, casual conversations, and by all means, don’t text! It’s also a good idea to avoid all the other little things we sometimes do on the roads when traffic seems slow: don’t eat, fix your makeup, put on ties, or try to look up information on your phone. When you’re driving safely, your anxiety level drops, and you also cause less stress for others. That leads to less aggressive driving and a smoother commute for everyone.

Relax, Don’t Work

If you’re going to be forced to spend close to half an hour doing nothing but driving, then don’t pile on work–especially since you’re not getting paid for it! Avoid conversations with your boss or other employees, don’t listen to reports, don’t check your email until you’re at your job. Even if you’re on public transportation or in a carpool, use that time to chill out. Listen to your favorite podcasts or good music, have a fun non-work-related chat with people. Check your social media (unless that stresses you out).

In general, treat your time during the commute as a break between home and your job where you can focus on other things. And always appreciate that you live in Kansas City, not Atlanta or Los Angeles, where the rush hours can last all night long.

Request an Estimate

The best way to give you a fair, accurate price is to have a Gerber representative visit your home or business. This service is free—there is no charge for us to do an on-site survey and prepare an estimate.

Name*

FirstLast

Email

Phone

Estimated Move Date

Current zip code

New zip code or city & state

Type of move

Residential

Commercial

Testimonial

When we decided to move, we were on a short time table. Your team explained the entire process, took a visual inventory, discussed all of your services, and followed up promptly, with a good price, and a set delivery date.

They completed the loading process earlier than expected and Tracy had us take a walk through the house to insure that there was no damage to walls or flooring and that everything was loaded.

Suffice to say, the move went extremely well and my wife and I are very happy that we chose Gerber Moving.

Alan & Darline Smith

We want that same crew next time!
I just want to reiterate how impressed we were with the crew that worked our job yesterday. They made a stressful day much less so.

Patrick A., Overland Park, KS

Fantastic move, thanks to Gerber Moving and Storage!
We have moved many times with many different companies, and this was THE BEST! Not one item damaged, fast, courteous service from the very first contact with Mike Gerber to the final unloading of houshold goods including a piano, organ, keyboards, and office computer equipment--all the way up to an 11th floor condominium! Thanks to everyone at Gerber!

The Ramseys

I called today & spoke with Bob to schedule our next move with Gerber Moving and Storage because we were really impressed with their moving crews last time.

Happy Repeat Customer

Upon arriving at our new home and business office, Gerber went the extra mile to make sure that everything was set up to our satisfaction.

I would strongly recommend Gerber Moving and Storage’s professional help and management team to anyone that is considering a move.

Ed Toomey

The staff at Gerber Moving and Storage were a great help during this stressful time in our life.

Ed & Linna Toomey

The personnel that were sent to our home took charge and moved items in our home as if they were their own personal furnishings.

Happy Kansas City, MO Family

We can highly recommend using Gerber Moving & Storage for your next move be it as simple as delivering a Piano to an Interstate entire household move.

T.Martin Lesh.

As well as Gerber Moving & Storage's ability to do a Door to Door move from Kansas City to Denver (rather than handing off to one of the large interstate companies) saving us money (the smaller truck meant no need for shuttle service and the extra cost that entails) along with giving us the confidence that in fact Mike Gerber & Co. was overseeing the process every step of the way.

Gerber's crews (packing - loading - driver/unloading) were not only timely and professional .... but were also extremely personable and enjoyable to be around making the process less a source of stress and more something to look forward to each day.

From getting the estimates (which were extremely accurate) - to finalizing the contracts - to the packing - loading out - delivery and unpacking: right down to Mike Gerber arranging transport for my wife's car: each and every step of the way was a positive experience.

Over the last eight years my wife and I have moved a total of five times: both Interstate and Local. Having used many companies including a couple of the large national ones we can say point blank that our move from Kansas City, MO to Denver, CO with Gerber Moving & Storage was by far the best moving experience we've ever had.

PrevNext

Member of the American Moving and Storage Association and the Better Business Bureau serving the Kansas City region including: